About Joe

BM - Arizona State University (Percussion Performance)

MM - Arizona State University (Music Education)

Originally from Barnegat, New Jersey, Joe Goglia has been living in Tempe, Arizona since 2002. Upon moving to Arizona, he has completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Arizona State University, where he was under the direction of Dr. J.B. Smith, Dr. Mark Sunkett, and Dom Moio. Joe also holds his Master's degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz (also from ASU), under the direction of Michael Kocour.

In addition to formal education, Joe has had the opportunity to study with a variety of instructors in the folkloric field, including: Scott Kettner, Mark Lamson,  Julie Hill, Alberto “Beto” Torrens, Rafael Maya, Ruy Lopez-Nussa Lekszycky, and Cachete Maldonado y Los Majaderos.

Currently, Joe is the Director of Instrumental and Digital Music at Camelback High School. His duties at Camelback include Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Music Technology. 

Not only an educator, Joe is also a seasoned performer. He works as a freelance musician with a variety of performing artists around town. In 2012, Joe created the group Samba de Cavalo. This group specializes in Afro-Brazilian music, but also has been blending different music of African diaspora to create a new and unique sound. Joe has also collaborated with Amanda Soares in The Samba Project, and can be always be seen with Boom! Percussion on trashcans or marching drums.

As an active member of the Percussive Arts Society for many years, Joe has served as Arizona Chapter Vice President and is currently Past President for the chapter. Joe proudly endorses Vic Firth drumsticks, Mapex/Majestic Percussion, MEINL Percussion,  and Remo drumheads.